September Social Media Announcements!

I debated yesterday and today about whether to post something about the "official" announcement of my professional career change to becoming a Farm Bureau Financial Services insurance agent.  

I really went back and forth and was so unsure of what I should say.  Finally I threw caution to the wind, and posted my business card on my personal Facebook page and only wrote "It's Official".  Sometimes a few words are better than alot, right?

 I am not sure why I debated so much, I mean  I am in sales.  I do have to market myself and the company and isn't social media a great way to do that!  Isn't that an avenue to spread the word about my life changing event?  

Social media can be positive and negative I know.  At the moment, I find it a positive as I was quickly "liked" and collected an array of "kind" words below the photo from friends, loved ones, acquaintances, etc.  

Once again I was blessed, alittle boost of encouragement can go a long with this lady! (Might be revisiting this photo post on days it's alittle gloomier in my office!) 

I wonder though, will the people that see my post give me the opportunity to visit with them when I call them?  Will they remember that I'm the same person I was a month ago, except I now have more knowledge, more opportunities to help, and have agent behind my name? I also wonder, will I mention or share too much insurance knowledge on my Facebook page and become that annoying "friend" they all want to hide or delete.

I like to think that most of them  know me well enough to know I have only the best intentions and want to provide the best service possible.  I've always had that attitude and I will continue being that way. Luckily,  I have more knowledge and passion to enhance the care I want to cover them with! :)

Ironically, 18 years ago on September 4th was the first time I walked into my current office.  I was walking in to start my new job as part time secretary with absolutely ZERO knowledge about insurance.  Tomorrow I will walk into the office as an agent, with more experience, more knowledge, more heart.  I just thought it interesting how September is significant in my professional career.

Thanks for allowing me to share on my blog about our life, our faith, our feelings. 

Julie

Wrinkles & Facebook

I noticed this morning while putting on makeup the excessive amount of wrinkles around my eyes when I smile. They mostly disappear when I don't smile! But I decided after 5 mins of discussion with myself I would continue to smile because my face looks better that way! :) Go wrinkles, I earned ya! :)

I posted this particular set of words on my personal Facebook status one morning.  By the end of the day I had close LIKES.

Can you believe that?  Who knew making humor at myself and turning it with a positive spin would create so many likes!  ( I know, some of you might get alot more than 30 likes on a Facebook status, but that's HUGE for little ol' me!)

I thought that would be a good intro to share that my Farmer hubby recently got his own personal Facebook page.  Honestly, he wasn't too excited about it, and no I didn't FORCE HIM to do it either.  I left it up to him, but I won't say I didn't kindly throw reasons at him here & there as to why he needed one. 

Reasons he needed a Facebook page.......

Our Blog Facebook page.  He is the farmer, I am the primary blogger. I work an "off the farm" job most days of the week, so I am not able to follow him around with my camera while he farms. Hence - he needed a Facebook page, so he could post photos to our blog page of actual farming!

Yes, I could have just signed my account onto his smartphone so he could use it to post, but let's be honest, my newsfeed is full.  I knew it would drive him insane!  

Let me say right here, my husband is a smart man and works very hard.  He'd rather be using his hands to physically build something or grow something or play ball with his little girl than ever spend much time on Facebook.  That's one of the things I love about him.  

But during this "training period" I will admit, I don't have much patience.  I wasn't born with it, and although it has grown alot in the last 10 years, I'm still impatient when it comes to technology & showing my husband things.  I'm sure when the time comes for him to teach me to drive that semi-tractor or tractor or combine or grain truck, he will be able to relate! :)

Here shortly he will be planting corn and checking that wheat that is coming out of dormancy, and I do believe he should be documenting it!  Don't you agree????

Well if so, then WE would LOVE to hear from you folks! Show Milton you really want to hear about his day, his farming activities, and all the fun he has while feeding the world!  Head on over to our Facebook page, and comment something!

Oh and throw alittle silliness in there, we love silly here on the farm!  Like,  Hey Milton , what's the view from your tractor cab like today! Farmer Milton, whatcha up to today!? :) What's the grain prices Milton! :) Milton, could you take a photo of yourself in your favorite farm cap! (ok he probably won't do the last one, but wouldn't it be fun to post that! :) 

(No he didn't approve this post prior to me publishing it! Remember, I like the element of surprise!)  (insert mischievous laugh)

Actually,I'm happy that Milton is participating even more in our little "blog world".  Being partners and actively doing the things that we love together builds for a stronger relationship.  Farming is just one aspect of our relationship we are partners in.  I can't wait to see what lies ahead for our "partnership"!

OH! Don't forget to share our Facebook page with others, we would really like to grow the sunbeams we have over there! :)  You guys rock! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

Kindness Going Around!

Have you ever received an act of kindness from someone when you were bluer than blue, or deep in a funk, or grasping to hang on?  Well I have and it made me feel quite loved and reassured me that this blogging gig, I should continue (at least for now).

  A couple months ago, I was stressing out about this very blog.  Unsure if I should continue it, unsure if I was writing things that mattered, or that people found interesting, or if I offend anyone with my expression of my faith.

  I recall, when I was discussing it with my husband, these words came from my mouth without me even thinking.

"I don't know that I have anything to offer to anyone."

Meaning, am I just rambling to hear (or read) my own words, grasping for attention, or putting my personal life on display as alot of society has come to that?  

I want my blog to inspire, help, educate, and connect with people.  I've received the connection part with finding new friends that blog and farm, I've been told that a few people are learning from my blog about farming, and now via two very kind people, they shared how I helped and brought joy to them.

One of the acts of kindness was commented on our Facebook page.

Thank you, I enjoy your writings and the other links you you go too. Thank you !!

The other was received via the US Postal Service.

(I absolutely LOVE getting the mail, not kidding!)

I am thankful for these little hugs from friends!
They brought a smile to my face (for more than just a second)

Warmness in my heart, and made me want to continue sharing our life, 

and to extend KINDNESS to another.

 I too shall pass on some kindness this week!

How about you?? Up for the challenge?

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

PS: I am a guest blogger once again this coming Friday

 (15th) at Dandelion's Picked bible study!

Guess what the topic is - KINDNESS!

The Kindness of Abigail!

Go Figure!

Facebook & Giveaway Winner!

If you recall from this post I announced our Facebook page, and a Giveaway!  The time has come and this little sweetie helped me draw a winner! (Oh and Milton is a sweetie too!)

The winner is:

Cheryl Boesker!

Thanks to everyone that has liked and shared our Facebook page!
We appreciate all our friends and enjoy sharing our life with you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

Facebook & A Giveaway

Yep, we did it!  We took the plunge and now have a Facebook Page! 
 Trust me when I say, Milton and I discussed and prayed on it for sometime.  
We are excited and nervous at the same time, but at this point it feels like a good move for us!  We hope to spread the word of agriculture and share some hospitality!  

To mark the occasion, we have decided to have a giveway!  
One of the items is this cookbook. 

Let me give you a little background on it.  It's my favorite cookbook, I am not sharing a picture of my own copy, because it's not exactly pretty anymore.  
You know, dried food splatters, wrinkled pages from use, etc.  
It's a well used cookbook, and isn't that the way cookbooks should be?

I received my copy from a co-worker a few years ago. It's a collaboration of recipes from the author and other people and she did a great job on the book and is a fabulous cook herself from what I hear! When I decided I wanted to get more copies, the local store that sells them didn't have any more and it wasn't in print any longer. So I gave up on my quest there. Until the holidays this year!  Lucky for me, I am familiar with the author and I decided to contact her via FACEBOOK. I was very happy to find out that she had put more in print and the local store had copies!  I made a mad dash for that store the following week!  I bought copies for my 3 daughters, myself, and one to giveaway here!

It's one of those cookbooks you just go back to when you need something yummy!  Whether it's for a family gathering, a church potluck, or friends over for dinner! She does have a 2nd cookbook out, and I have it as well. But this is my favorite!
 Perhaps we will do another giveaway later for that one... you never can tell! :)

Here is the entire gift!

A Cookbook and Two Homemade Jams 
(Jam made by Milton & myself!)

To be entered in the giveaway, all you have to do is LIKE our Facebook page!
Drawing will be held on February 3rd at 7:00 pm Central time!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie